District Wide Information

Profile for Technology Literate Students
This week's example is from the Profiles for Technology Literate Students for grades 6-8.
5. Evaluate digital resources to determine the credibility of the author and publisher and the timeliness and accuracy of the content. (3)
This profile is one  I address in the library media lesson about website evaluations.  I use the RADCAB website (http://www.radcab.com/) as a tool to help students know a quick way to think about and consider how to evaluate websites.  It is important to remind students about website evaluation when using the internet.
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts


The NetSmartz Five
http://www.netsmartz.org/
NetSmartz Five is a free monthly email newsletter.  Below is the December 2011 newsletter which is timely for the holidays, but helpful for any time of the year.  All five things below include helpful information to share, but I personally like number 4 which includes a quiz regarding internet surfing habits.  Check this out!

December 2011
Criminals use a variety of methods to trick people online. Check out this list of some of the most common online scams. “Swatting,” a new and dangerous twist on the classic prank call, involves Internet pranksters getting swat teams to surround the homes of their unsuspecting victims, like in this case. If you've been a victim of an online scam, you can report it to IC3, the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Challenge your teen to test his or her Internet surfing habits with this quiz from the McAfee security company. Then, take it yourself and compare your scores. Are you planning to avoid the in-store holiday rush by shopping online? Then you may want to read this article about some common methods of identity theft and ways to protect your family. Articles and comments do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Any products or websites mentioned are not necessarily affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by NCMEC. "Every week, the FTC hears from consumers about online scams--from phishing to spyware, internet auctions to foreign lotteries. Scammers use these tricks to try to get your money or personal information. But you can stop them: before you respond to that email from your “bank” or pay “taxes” on a claimed foreign lottery win, stop and think--and check it out at OnGuardOnline.gov.” Commissioner Edith Ramirez, Federal Trade Commission

District Wide Information

Profile for Technology Literate Students
This week's example is from the Profiles for Technology Literate Students for grades 9-12.
1. Design, develop, and test a digital learning game to demonstrated knowledge and skills related to curriculum content. (1, 4)
This profile is related to Game-Based Learning.  If you are interested in this check out edweb.net where there is a Game-Based Learning Community with monthly webinars and ongoing  conversations about teachers and their interest and experience with Game-Based Learning.  Marcia Ivers has done some of this in her classes and is a great resource too!
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts

District Wide Information

Profile for Technology Literate Students
This week's example is from the Profiles for Technology Literate Students for grades PK-2.
10. Demonstrate the ability to navigate in virtual environments such as electronic books, simulation software, and web sites. (6)
This profile can be used in classrooms in a couple of different ways.  E-books are available through the Park Side card catalog on Follett Shelf, an example of simulation software would be web-based games such as Spellathon (posted last week) as well as many learning web sites.  Many teachers are already implementing this profile in their classroom...hooray!
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts


NBC Learn
http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn/resources
I posted about NBC Learn before, but I came across this again and feel it is a fantastic resource for teachers.  This link is to the free resources available...check it out!!


Newseum
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Check out the Newseum - Washington, DC's most interactive museum. It's a clickable map; each city brings up the front page of the town's major newspaper.  This site allows you to browse the front page news across the world visiting 60 different countries.